EP3173340A1 - Couplage à éclairage autonome pour le ravitaillement aérien automatique - Google Patents

Couplage à éclairage autonome pour le ravitaillement aérien automatique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3173340A1
EP3173340A1 EP15382593.0A EP15382593A EP3173340A1 EP 3173340 A1 EP3173340 A1 EP 3173340A1 EP 15382593 A EP15382593 A EP 15382593A EP 3173340 A1 EP3173340 A1 EP 3173340A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coupling
probe
conical surface
inner conical
aerial refueling
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15382593.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Martín Espinosa Sánchez
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Airbus Defence and Space SA
Original Assignee
Airbus Defence and Space SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Airbus Defence and Space SA filed Critical Airbus Defence and Space SA
Priority to EP15382593.0A priority Critical patent/EP3173340A1/fr
Priority to RU2016146681A priority patent/RU2016146681A/ru
Priority to US15/364,619 priority patent/US20170152057A1/en
Priority to CN201611089879.7A priority patent/CN107021236A/zh
Publication of EP3173340A1 publication Critical patent/EP3173340A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D39/00—Refuelling during flight
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
    • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
    • B64D39/00—Refuelling during flight
    • B64D39/06—Connecting hose to aircraft; Disconnecting hose therefrom

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a coupling, a system and a method that allows an automatic guidance and contact of a receiver aircraft (manned or unmanned) equipped with a refueling probe to a hose and drogue aerial refueling apparatus of a tanker aircraft.
  • Aerial refueling via the probe and drogue method is known.
  • a refueling drogue receptacle with coupling connected to a refueling hose is unreeled from a refueling aircraft or tanker aircraft towards a receiver aircraft, ie, an aircraft to be refueled.
  • the receiver aircraft has a refueling probe extending from the aircraft.
  • the receiver aircraft maneuvers to the refueling drogue and inserts its refueling probe into the refueling drogue receptacle, at which point the refueling drogue receptacle "locks" onto the refueling probe and a transfer of fuel from the refueling aircraft to the receiver aircraft is conducted.
  • the receiver To contact on the coupling, the receiver has to hit within the coupling inner conical surface with its probe. Traditionally, for manned operations, a proper contact depended on the receiver pilot skill, without any guidance aid.
  • the increase of unmanned aerial vehicles is pushing to perform automatic aerial refueling in safe conditions and requires systems to allow automatic contacts between receiver probe and tanker aerial refueling couplings.
  • one approach under development to guide the receiver to the aerial refueling coupling is based on vision systems in the receiver which process images in order to track the coupling.
  • Another known approach is having a laser receiver/transmitter on a target device towed by a host aircraft that projects a reticle pattern aft of the host aircraft and a laser receiver/transmitter on a probe of the receiver aircraft that is activated as the receiver aircraft is moved within the projected reticle pattern. Thereafter, a rangefinder guides the receiver towards the host aircraft until the laser transmitter/receiver of the receiver is aligned and boresighted with the laser transmitter/receiver of the host aircraft.
  • the present invention overcomes the problem of achieving the contact between the aerial refueling coupling and the probe enabling a fully automatic hookup.
  • This invention is intended to provide the aerial refueling coupling with a system which allows the receiver guidance to the target to allow automatic contact for receivers guided by a laser seeker.
  • the invention is based on the use of standard components of aerial refueling practices, therefore not needing the use of special or adapted components.
  • the aerial refueling coupling is equipped with a system which "self-paints" or illuminates the coupling as a target for the laser seeker and for instance, with technologies of laser bounces detection and tracking, the receiver will be able to hit the coupling.
  • the host coupling for this system might be a standard aerial refueling coupling (for example MA4 coupling) and, therefore, it could be installed on an existing tanker without further retrofits.
  • the aerial refueling coupling of the invention comprises illumination means attached to the coupling and configured for pointing to the inner conical surface of the coupling for illuminating said inner surface as a target for a laser seeker locatable in the receiver aircraft to allow the guidance of the probe to contact the coupling.
  • the laser seeker might be installed either on the receiver probe or on other receiver position with the appropriate calibration.
  • the laser seeker might be based on the existing technology of ACLOS (Automatic Command Line of Sight).
  • the illumination means are kept pointing to the conical surface and the radiation bounces off said conical surface and is scattered in all directions.
  • the probe is deployed near the target and when it is close enough for some of the reflected energy from the target to reach it, the laser seeker detects which direction this energy is coming from and adjusts its trajectory towards the source.
  • an aerial refueling system comprising:
  • the system is characterized in that the coupling comprises illumination means, for instance a laser illuminator, attached to the coupling and configured for pointing to the inner conical surface of the coupling for illuminating said inner surface as a target for a laser seeker locatable in the receiver aircraft, either on the probe or on other suitable location with the appropriate calibration, to allow the guidance of the probe to contact the coupling.
  • illumination means for instance a laser illuminator
  • the system would be characterized in that the coupling comprises illumination means attached to the coupling and configured for pointing to the inner conical surface of the coupling for illuminating said inner surface as a target for the laser seeker located in the receiver aircraft to allow the guidance of the probe to contact the coupling.
  • tanker aircraft comprising an aerial refueling coupling according to the above technical features.
  • the illuminator means are a laser illuminator (5).
  • the coupling (6) comprises a couple of laser illuminators (5), or could comprise several laser illuminators (5), which are pointing directly to the inner conical surface (7) of the coupling (6).
  • the additional laser illuminator (5) provides redundancy to the system.
  • the center of the coupling (6) is the target which has to be illuminated as the reflection of the laser (5) will be better distributed if the center is pointed.
  • the laser illuminators (5) are attached to the inner conical surface (7) of the coupling (6).
  • the inner conical surface (7) might require to comprise a highly reflecting surface located in the area in which the laser (5) impinges and/or additional laser illuminators (5) might be required.
  • the coupling (6) shown in the embodiment further comprises:
  • the power supply comprises an air turbine (1) located in the coupling (6).
  • the turbine automatically detects that the coupling (6) is flying as ram air turns the turbine (1) by the impinging air flow. Since the turbine (1) is connected to the controller (4), the turbine acts as a sensor to switch on the system. Additionally, it is adapted to provide the system with power, therefore power supply may be accomplished without the need of an external power source, thus greatly simplifying the refueling system.
  • the power source of the disclosed embodiment comprises a battery (2) located inside the coupling (6).
  • a refueling drogue assembly may be placed without the need for communication wires, etc., to run along the refueling hose.
  • the power supply for the laser illuminators (5) is provided by autonomous means within the coupling (6) which allows to be fitted on a standard aerial refueling hose (11).
  • the coupling (6) is able to activate the "self-illumination” system autonomously when it is deployed in the air and to deactivate it when the hose is stowed and does not require any control from the tanker (10).
  • the air turbine (1) starts spinning and activates the microcontroller (4) which is able to manage the system in terms of energy management and laser illuminator (5) activation / deactivation with the appropriate logic.
  • the coupling (6) further comprises a battery (2) configured to be connected to the controller (4) such that the electrical current will be provided by the air turbine (1) fitted to the coupling (6) and by the additional battery (2).
  • the laser seeker might be installed either on the receiver probe (13) or on other receiver position with the appropriate calibration, i.e., having a line of sight similar to the probe (13), the alternative locations depending, therefore, on the geometry of the receiver (12).
  • the claimed system allows the receiver (12) to change its relative speed to the target from an "approach speed” until the pre-contact position to a "contact speed” basing on the energy of the reflected laser (5) beam.
  • the receiver (12) may comprise laser brightness sensors to adjust its approaching speed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Optical Radar Systems And Details Thereof (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
EP15382593.0A 2015-11-30 2015-11-30 Couplage à éclairage autonome pour le ravitaillement aérien automatique Withdrawn EP3173340A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15382593.0A EP3173340A1 (fr) 2015-11-30 2015-11-30 Couplage à éclairage autonome pour le ravitaillement aérien automatique
RU2016146681A RU2016146681A (ru) 2015-11-30 2016-11-29 Самооблучаемая муфта для автоматической дозаправки топливом в полете
US15/364,619 US20170152057A1 (en) 2015-11-30 2016-11-30 Self-illuminated coupling for automatic aerial refueling
CN201611089879.7A CN107021236A (zh) 2015-11-30 2016-11-30 用于自动空中加油的自照射式联接装置

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15382593.0A EP3173340A1 (fr) 2015-11-30 2015-11-30 Couplage à éclairage autonome pour le ravitaillement aérien automatique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3173340A1 true EP3173340A1 (fr) 2017-05-31

Family

ID=55442611

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15382593.0A Withdrawn EP3173340A1 (fr) 2015-11-30 2015-11-30 Couplage à éclairage autonome pour le ravitaillement aérien automatique

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20170152057A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3173340A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN107021236A (fr)
RU (1) RU2016146681A (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115871941A (zh) * 2023-03-08 2023-03-31 中国空气动力研究与发展中心空天技术研究所 一种陀螺式旋转增稳空中加油锥套

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109703768B (zh) * 2018-01-19 2020-07-03 北京航空航天大学 一种基于姿态/轨迹复合控制的软式空中加油对接方法
CN109703769B (zh) * 2018-01-19 2020-05-26 北京航空航天大学 一种基于预瞄策略的空中加油对接控制方法
GB2574078B (en) * 2018-09-27 2020-05-20 pitman James Methods and systems for in-flight fuelling of aircraft
CN113002786B (zh) * 2021-04-02 2022-06-14 哈尔滨工业大学 一种伸缩式软硬结合空中加油管
RU2767079C1 (ru) * 2021-09-28 2022-03-16 Акционерное общество "Научно-производственное предприятие "Звезда" имени академика Г.И. Северина" Головка приемника топлива системы заправки топливом в полете
CN114543664B (zh) * 2021-12-30 2024-05-07 中国航空工业集团公司沈阳飞机设计研究所 一种基于激光扫描的加油锥套定位方法及装置
CN114572408B (zh) * 2022-03-03 2024-03-19 华中科技大学 一种可变流道装置及其制备方法

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5906336A (en) * 1997-11-14 1999-05-25 Eckstein; Donald Method and apparatus for temporarily interconnecting an unmanned aerial vehicle
GB2436092A (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-19 Flight Refueling Ltd In-flight refuelling drogue illunination
EP2230179A1 (fr) * 2009-03-18 2010-09-22 EADS Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. Système d'éclairage pour opération de ravitaillement de carburant en vol
EP2381288A1 (fr) * 2010-04-20 2011-10-26 EADS Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. Système de vision nocturne à partir de lieux d'observation distants
US20110266457A1 (en) * 2010-04-29 2011-11-03 Eads Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. System for night vision of selected objects
US20120261516A1 (en) * 2011-04-15 2012-10-18 Patrick Gilliland Ladar sensor for landing, docking and approach
US8398028B1 (en) * 2010-11-16 2013-03-19 The Boeing Company Drogue with power generator
EP2607237A1 (fr) * 2011-12-23 2013-06-26 EADS Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. Système de détection et d'indication de verrouillage pour couplages de ravitaillement aérien

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5906336A (en) * 1997-11-14 1999-05-25 Eckstein; Donald Method and apparatus for temporarily interconnecting an unmanned aerial vehicle
GB2436092A (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-19 Flight Refueling Ltd In-flight refuelling drogue illunination
EP2230179A1 (fr) * 2009-03-18 2010-09-22 EADS Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. Système d'éclairage pour opération de ravitaillement de carburant en vol
EP2381288A1 (fr) * 2010-04-20 2011-10-26 EADS Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. Système de vision nocturne à partir de lieux d'observation distants
US20110266457A1 (en) * 2010-04-29 2011-11-03 Eads Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. System for night vision of selected objects
US8398028B1 (en) * 2010-11-16 2013-03-19 The Boeing Company Drogue with power generator
US20120261516A1 (en) * 2011-04-15 2012-10-18 Patrick Gilliland Ladar sensor for landing, docking and approach
EP2607237A1 (fr) * 2011-12-23 2013-06-26 EADS Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. Système de détection et d'indication de verrouillage pour couplages de ravitaillement aérien

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115871941A (zh) * 2023-03-08 2023-03-31 中国空气动力研究与发展中心空天技术研究所 一种陀螺式旋转增稳空中加油锥套

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN107021236A (zh) 2017-08-08
US20170152057A1 (en) 2017-06-01
RU2016146681A (ru) 2018-05-30

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